In a bold move to reshape the landscape of federal employment, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris declared on Friday her intention to eliminate college degree requirements for certain federal jobs if she becomes president.
“As president, I will get rid of the unnecessary degree requirements for federal jobs to increase jobs for folks without a four-year degree,” Harris shared during her speech in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
This statement resonates deeply, especially considering that over 62% of Americans aged 25 and older do not hold a bachelor’s degree, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s early 2023 data. Notably, Americans without college degrees comprised three out of five voters in the 2020 elections. Harris emphasized the need to recognize the value of alternative pathways to success, such as apprenticeships and technical programs.
“A degree does not necessarily indicate a person’s skills,” Harris continued before challenging the private sector to follow suit in reassessing hiring criteria.
A recent survey conducted by Gallup and the Lumina Foundation revealed that many Americans are skeptical about the value and cost of college. Over half of U.S. adults who have never been enrolled or have previously attended college cited the cost of education as a “very important” reason for their hesitance to enroll or return.
As the campaign heats up, Harris’s proposals could redefine the qualifications needed for federal employment and signal a significant shift in the national conversation about education and opportunity.
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